Survey Question 28

28. With regard to technology, in what area(s) do you want to increase your knowledge and/or skills?

Over 150 responses were given. Duplicates have been removed.

Providing age appropriate programming using various technology

Technology that improves a student's ability to problem solve and engage the imagination is excellent. Technology used to dull the senses and require little more than rote memorization does not benefit students. Using scientifically based research to inform the profession of these two technologies would be awesome.

Incorporating 2.0 technology into daily routine and teaching technology to children

Would like to build a school social networking site.

Probably figuring out how edit films for YouTube, generating podcasts, maybe learning Skype? Beating out my younger colleagues on Rockband! You name it, there is definitely something out there I am totally clueless about.

Social networking tools

Database searching program registration and management software

Use of databases. competency in basic computer use/troubleshooting so I can help patrons/staff.

Using the databases available to our patrons

Want to be more comfortable with the sites kids use; be able to better explain how to search, copyright etc

I am always happy to increase my knowledge of search techniques and strategies.

We have wonderful databases through our state library but have not had time to try out or suggest to patrons

Gaming, social networking

Second Life for teens, other web 2.0 social networking sites that may not be blocked by my county.

Ways to integrate new technologies into public library services for youth and parents

All areas, especially what is happening now...to try to keep up with what is out there...older children are so tuned into the technology that it seems it is changing daily! I have no children, so I don't even know what is current...I get the hang of or understanding of one thing and the kids have move on to something two or maybe 3 types ahead...it makes my head swirl and me feel like a dinosaur...thus I rely on staff to try to keep me in step.

I'd like to be more aware of how using web 2.0 can enhance library services to children.

Database searching and ideas for promotion of databases. I'd also like to become very familiar with mp3 players, their use, and what their future may hold.

Keep current with trends and know how to use library 2.0 technologies.

What's out there for children to use safely and how soon will it be outdated

Web 2.0 moderation - not only participation in social networks but understanding how we can use these new tools to enhance our professional development.

Web design

E-books.

Utilization in an early childhood media center

Instruction - how to teach youth about the resources we do have

I need to do more with online databases instead of just falling back on the "quick and dirty" google search.

New databases business info. Tax info.

Hooking to meaningful learning

Understanding gaming trends. What are the popular sites for cheat sheets, free online gaming? What are the hot games?

Databases and web and library 2.0 - wikis, blogs, etc.

I'd like to be better able to sell the library's databases to our students and parents. Thus, i probably need to be better at explaining search techniques to young users.

IM chat reference

How to use new technology in a library setting

Second life -- I want to feel like I know what I’m doing there and I’d like to use it professionally to meet with other librarians.

Web design, web quests, GPS technology, Internet safety

New web initiatives widgets and gadgets

Social networking. Creating attractive & useful web sites for children (and teens). Some of my problem is just not having enough time to do it all. I'm responsible for birth through teens at my library - it's hard enough to just keep up with books!

I am interested in how to use/how to teach social networking.

Increase familiarity with online databases and learn effective ways to teach children how to use them

Research databases and websites that are tied to common elementary school assignments and that are user-friendly and use a young child's reading level.

Search strategies

Using it to make my day to day life easier

Would like to know more about benefits/problems with teaching very young children (4 and under) to use computers and technology and how this can be used in the library.

Current and future trends

Social networking; website design

Gaming systems - I would like to be more familiar with the games our district owns so i wouldn't panic during our gaming tournaments.

Wiki's, creating webpages

Teaching information literacy

Biggest thing is working with administration to get technologies approved for use by kids/ teens. Overall knowledge would be supported by information about what other libraries have done, how they have done it, what sort of returns they've gotten on their investments, etc.

Interesting question, because it's what I’m not aware of that I need to know about. I stay fairly current, but always feel behind.

Want to become familiar with Wii and Xbox to offer teen programming using these

Social networking-managing time used for technology.

Virtual worlds and kids

Java, html, widgets

How to navigate the myriad databases available in an effort to increase their use.

It had never occurred to me to teach info literacy to kids, though we offer computer classes for adults. By the way, I don't use the ALSC wiki because when I visited it, it was in its infancy and wasn't very helpful yet. I should go back!

Increased application of interactive tools such as smartboard / software

Database creation

How to use social networking tools effectively with students

Best practices for implementation in classroom curriculum / state standards

What the new technology is and how youth use it

Probably all. It is hard to keep on top of technological advances.

Search strategies, mostly

I am very interested in the use of gaming and simulations in instruction. I would like to increase my knowledge in this area.

Gaming programs requirements and how different libraries host them and justify them to other staff

Awareness of new teaching and learning technology, like group worksites and online communication advancements.

Gaming, teaching information literacy, where to find sites that kids like to visit.

Creating content on the web using html

I would like to learn how to create interactive software to teach information literacy.

Information literacy instruction for grades k-5,particularly in the area of constructing searches

Effective use of virtual reality, such as second life.

What is on the horizon before it becomes what everybody is talking about. Being ahead of the pack and how to integrate into teaching 21st century skills for children.

Use of office products. Along with familiarity with social networks.

Using web 2.0 tools

What is the best filtering software for a networked system (ours performs spottily) what equipment and other resources are needed to set up connectivity for satellite programming coming from national institutions such as NASA, Smithsonian, Williamsburg, etc. What children's databases overlap each other in coverage so that not all databases need be subscribed to. Which children's databases are most cost-effective, and why. Courses in network management (major network providers such as SIRSI) for librarians (so they can speak intelligently to tech contractors, and so they can evaluate the tech contractor's performance) what can be expected from a systems vendor RFP and presentation. Training in customizing SIRSI/Dynix user interfaces

Social networking gaming best practices

Gaming and best ways of making technology available to children.

Social networking 2.0

Web 2.0

How to teach information literacy skills

Using technology in programming

Databases

Basically "how to". That is, not just what they are (e.g. Blogs, wiki, etc.) But how do I actually set them up and use them

How to use the latest technology in the classroom such as document cameras, smart boards, new presentation ideas beyond PowerPoint for the students

Stretching time so I can keep abreast of breaking trends and develop at least a rudimentary proficiency before my young customers ask for/ about "what's new."

Best practices, I just started using social networks and i would like to learn how to use them to teach - both students but also how to teach other librarians & teachers. I also have not done anything with wikis or podcasting and I want to explore them a little more. Lastly, have been trying Meebo for virtual meetings with other librarians but it is not going as smoothly as I had hoped - so more on how to hold virtual meetings without needing a budget allocation.

Troubleshooting problems

I want to increase my knowledge of how to use wikis.

Integrating technology into existing programs

I see a need for technology coaching for those of us who have been long out of library school and who want to stay ahead in the quickly changing and evolving field of technology.

How does a blog work? What copyright issues are involved in loans of software from libraries? Can we get some indication in packaging and catalogs to show whether an item can be successfully circulated? (some can only be loaded once, and i haven't found a way to identify them before buying them.)

Social networking

Programming involving technology for the 6-12 age group (gaming or other). Fun ways to teach that age group database use.

Podcasting/vodcasting, music sampling, creating videogames with kids

I don't have a computer at home and probably won't any time soon. I'm concerned about the cost for one thing and for the other, I don't want to spend all my time with my head in cyberspace. I'd like to see training opportunities where one learns about an aspect and then plays around with it for a while online. Most training throws so much stuff at you that you get a smattering, but no real hands-on experience. At work, I just don't have the time to learn everything by trial and error. I don't feel I can justify the time when I have so much other stuff to do. And to get in my gripe about technology--I think it's wonderful and allows us to do so much more, but I also feel we're expected to do more and more tasks in less and less time using all our wonderful technology. With minimal training.

Latest trends in technology (i.e. Texting, MySpace, etc.)

Children research sites

I could use more tutorials on how to use a wiki more efficiently. I have visited the ALSC wikis, but do not contribute to them. Quite frankly, I am very busy so this is not necessarily a priority.

Programming for YA getting the kids to do more than play games and visit MySpace when they come into the library

Gaming

Library 2.0

I'd like to increase my speed and efficiency at locating scholarly websites for biographies and research papers.

Spreadsheets, saving files and putting them into folders online.

I want to know what sites are good for research and reports. These are the things we should be teaching children. The rest of the information that is social they can learn from their peers.

Web designing, creating a database, blogging etc.

Wikis, social networking

Presenting to kids ages 6-12 in a computer lab setting. What skills and how best to present.

Teaching best searching methods, presenting internet safety without overwhelming them, gaming and the library, social networking--how to use it to the library's advantage

Excel, power point, access

Gaming in the library and buying for gaming

Newest ways children are using technology - whether social networking or gaming.

Networking.

Incorporating technology into programming

Using technology for early literacy and engaging readers to increase reading comprehension.

Databases for children

Web design.

Gaming in relationship to schools, K-8

Podcasts, use of social networking

Gaming, sites for the very young

How to transfer information from one format to another - to print, download to various sites, etc.

Just keeping up with the latest ideas is exhausting.

Html programming

What kids are using and how we can meet their needs in the library.

New or changing databases that would be of help in finding information for young people's reports -- most requested topics are science (people and specific issues); mathematics (math fair projects); biography sources for young people; technology and invention

How to keep up with trends/changes.

All areas

I think that I need to be more savvy about technology developments of the last 5 years. I do not feel that my library is up to date and we are not exposed to new technology ideas.

Children/website usability

Building sites, blogging, etc.

Designing web pages

Using Macs; using plug-ins; school accessories, etc.

Social networking, MP3's all of the "fun" stuff that the kids are using.

Become more aware of resources that people have found useful for working with children and technology--so we don't have to all "reinvent the wheel"